Available now: Active Directory Federation Services 2.0 

1 min read

Hi everyone.  Good news:  Active Directory Federation Services 2.0(AD FS 2.0) has been finalized and is now available for download!  AD FS 2.0 is a role in Windows Server that simplifies access and single sign-on to both on-premises and cloud-based applications.  Using “claims-based” identity technology, it helps enable secure business collaboration and productivity within the Read more

Increase Web Application Scalability and Reliability with ARR 2.0 RTW 

2 min read

Today, Microsoft announced the final release of IIS Application Request Routing (ARR) 2.0 RTW.   Customers – such as hosting providers, Content Delivery Network (CDN) providers, and IT Professionals are changing the way they do business as a result of ARR 2.0. ARR 2.0 delivers cost savings, elastic scalability, and flexible deployment options. With IIS Read more

When to expect Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM 

1 min read

We have received many requests from our customers and partners on when they will be able to get their hands on RTM code of Windows Server 2008 R2. As the Windows Server Operations Manager, I wanted to provide a broad timeline on when different groups of customers and partners will get the final RTM code. For Read more

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Video: Branch Infrastructure Optimization 

<1 min read

In the video below Microsoft introduces three best practices that can help organizations cut branch and remote infrastructure costs.   1.       Use virtualization technology to more efficiently use hardware and save money on energy 2.       Centralize branch infrastructure monitoring and management 3.       Improve networking efficiency This embed requires accepting cookies from the embed’s site to Read more

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Secure, cross-company collaboration 

<1 min read

Below is a new Microsoft video about a company called Exostar.  Using Windows Server Active Directory Federation Services, Certificate Server, and Forefront Security, Exostar enables global aerospace companies, such as BAE Systems, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Rolls-Royce, to securely collaborate via hosted SharePoint Server 2007.  This is a good example of what we are calling “Business Ready Security.” Read more

Microsoft Partnership with RSA for Information Protection 

1 min read

Hi all – I’m David Hastie, senior product manager in the Identity and Security Business Group here at Microsoft.  I wanted to flag an announcement Microsoft made today in the area of information protection and data loss prevention.  It involves Rights Management Services in Windows Server 2008.    In short, Microsoft and EMC’s security division, Read more

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Independent research firm recognizes Microsoft NAP as a leader in Network Access Control 

1 min read

Microsoft’s Network Access Protection (NAP) solution was cited as a leader (the top category) in a recent independent report, “The Forrester Wave: Network Access Control, Q3 2008.”  Microsoft was one of the many network access control (NAC) vendors invited to participate in the report. Forrester placed a lot of emphasis on different access control scenarios Read more

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64-bit, Windows Server, Hyper-V, and the future 

2 min read

With the launch today of Hyper-V – available only in x64 versions – I thought that now would be a good time to revisit the topic of “64-bitness.”   I’m a technical product manager on the Windows Server team focused on Windows Server 2008, R2, clustering, and power management, along with a few other areas.  In the past I Read more

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SBS 2008: Released to Manufacturing! 

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Excerpt from the post on the SBS blog by group program manager Dean Paron: On behalf of the SBS team, I am extremely pleased to announce that Windows Small Business Server 2008 software has been finalized!  Today both SBS Standard and Premium are being released to manufacturing, which means we begin the process of finalizing international versions, Read more

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SBS and EBS @ WPC 

<1 min read

Lots of activities around the upcoming Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008 here in Houston at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference.  On top of the many keynotes, sessions and demonstrations to help partners prepare for the Essential Server Solutions, we’re announcing November 12 as the launch date for both products. For real-time updates Read more

SBS and EBS videos on Technet Edge 

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There are new demonstration videos of the upcoming Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008 on TechNet Edge. Program manager Bjorn Levidow provides an overview of EBS management, including remote administration, add-in management and license tracking.  Becky Ochs, program manager for SBS, shows setup of SBS 2008, including the new Answer File tool. Read more

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